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The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Dan Vierria Column: Padding - Paddling? - Around the Spring Garden

Posted on: Saturday, 15 April 2006, 15:00 CDT

By Dan Vierria, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

Apr. 15--The veronica vanished. Last fall it had been green and spreading around steppingstones. Last week it was gone, submerged under standing water and floating bark mulch.

Puddle-hopping through the garden this spring, you may have discovered similar sights. Want a positive spin on all that rain? Poor drainage areas are no longer a secret; you didn't plant the vegetable garden too early; and the lawn was too wet to mow.

Now wring out your shoes and go buy plants. What are gardeners buying?

"Anything that's blooming," says Debbie Woodruff, owner of Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery.

Azaleas, impatiens and petunias are among the most popular choices at the nursery.

Janice Davies of Sierra Nursery & Rock in Roseville couldn't agree more.

"People are tired of the winter blues," she says.

Bacopa, impatiens, petunias, nasturtiums, floribunda roses and coleus (colorful foliage) have been big sellers at Sierra Nursery.

"Creating a bird or butterfly garden seems to be a common interest in our customers," says Davies, citing interest in butterfly bush and yarrow.

What people actually buy in nurseries and what the garden magazines and industry trends say they're interested in buying can differ. That's partly the case because some nurseries are slow to stock new plants and prefer the old standbys they know they can sell. Availability of newer plants can also be problematic as growers attempt to quench demand.

Judging from reported plant trends and spring gardening magazines, here are plants that will attract the most attention - once the weather behaves:

* Zinnias. They're back, only shorter. "Zowie! Yellow Flame" is a 2006 All-America Selection, while "Magellan Coral" took AAS honors last year. Zinnias love heat, so they're perfect for the Sacramento area.

* Clematis. A traditional garden favorite, reborn because of shorter, patio hybrids that can be container grown.

* Coleus. Wild foliage colors have attracted renewed attention for this old standard. Container gardening's popularity favors coleus, too.

* Shrub roses. Newer ones bloom throughout the season with minimal disease problems. They can be integrated into perennial beds. What's not to like?

* Succulents. Simple to grow, very forgiving plants. A selection of succulents in a container can be spectacular. Their need for water is minimal.

* Dianthus. I grow them, but don't know what all the fuss is about. "Supra Purple" was a 2006 AAS champion.

If you want a plot in the new Fremont Community Garden, attend the open house from 5 to 7 p.m. April 25 at the Capitol Area Development Authority, 1522 14th St. Information about the garden, near 14th and Q streets, will be presented and gardeners can submit deposits for plots. Plots will be awarded on a first-come basis.

The new community garden will have 45 plots and is expected to be completed by late summer. Large plots (10 by 20 feet) will be $100 a year, small plots (10 by 10 feet) are $50. For more information: (916) 322-2114.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.

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Source: The Sacramento Bee

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